Representative Chuck Edwards of North Carolina announced Wednesday that he is withdrawing from the upcoming November election following allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers. The House Ethics Committee had recommended on Monday that Edwards be censured for his behavior.
Edwards, a Republican endorsed by former President Donald Trump earlier this year, stated he made the decision to withdraw after "much prayer and reflection." He indicated he intends to serve out the remainder of his current term, which ends in January.
The Ethics Committee's report detailed findings of "persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers." Investigators determined that Edwards engaged in behavior including sending notes about his "effusive affection" for junior staffers, making comments about their "appearance and dress," and showering them with "lavish and recurrent gifts." He also invited them to "intimate dinners and vacations."
One instance cited in the report involved Edwards having approximately 30 tubs of ice cream delivered to a female staffer's home after noticing she appeared upset. The staffer responded with a photo of the delivery, writing, "Thank you, but this seems a bit excessive." Investigators found that Edwards had seemingly deleted the photo and her reply from his phone, which was part of a pattern of missing messages flagged in the committee's report. Edwards testified that he would delete messages "at a whim."
The two female staffers, who are in their twenties and have since left his office, received numerous gifts from Edwards. These included jewelry valued at over $1,000, designer purses, guns, shoes, flowers, a laptop and cell phone, a KitchenAid mixer, a robotic vacuum, vacations, tickets to performances, and one-on-one dinners, according to the report.
Edwards did not deny persistently commenting on the women's appearances when questioned by investigators. He suggested that on Capitol Hill, "it's almost an issue if you don't make some comment about [one another's clothing]." The report also stated that Edwards commented on the weights of his young female staffers and called them "pretty" or "breathtaking" around the office.
While Edwards claimed his relationships with the staffers were "platonic," the report noted that many felt the relationships were "far from professional" and that the women were "made uncomfortable with his behavior." The committee found no evidence that Edwards engaged in sexual activity or explicitly propositioned the staffers.
Democrats have rallied behind Jamie Ager, a farmer with political ties in North Carolina, as the challenger for Edwards's seat. Ager's father and brother have served in the state legislature, and his grandfather represented western North Carolina in Congress.